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25 latest depth finder info (Read 14630 times)
Puckster
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latest depth finder info
Jan 27th, 2012 at 2:18am
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I'm going to break down and take a depthfinder for my next QP trip.  Got any advice on makes?  I'm looking for a depthfinder designed specifically for wilderness canoeing/portaging, if there is such a thing. 

I know, this topic has been covered in numerous past threads.  I did my due diligence and searched on "depthfinder" and read a lot of chat about depthfinders.  But I'm looking for specific brands and models.  I'd like to get a good one, and will pay whatever it takes. 

Thanks in advance for your advice!

prouboy
  
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PhantomJug
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #1 - Jan 27th, 2012 at 2:30am
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We've used (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) for years now (sans the smart cast thing-a-ma-jig).  It has not disappointed and we run it pretty much all day.  8AA batteries will last us 5 days with continual use.
  
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Old Salt
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #2 - Jan 27th, 2012 at 4:36am
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Tho mine is a few years old, and it has been updated, I suggest the latest model of the Cuda.
  
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Puckster
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #3 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 1:57am
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PJ -- thanks, I'm going to check into your model.  OS--  I looked online and it said the CUDA portable model has been discontinued.  But thanks anyway! 

prouboy
  
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PhantomJug
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #4 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 2:27am
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I think you'll like it Mike.  I can't think of one flaw (for the money) that it has.  My unit is on it's 3rd transducer and the electronics keep going and going and it has taken some abuse as well.  Rain, dropped, submerged . . . . still hummin.
  
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Puckster
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #5 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 2:30am
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Good to know PJ!  In the link you provided in your note, there was a picture of a yellow or orange (?) thing.... was that the transducer? 

prouboy
  
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DentonDoc
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #6 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 2:38am
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Puckster wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 1:57am:
OS--  I looked online and it said the CUDA portable model has been discontinued.  But thanks anyway! 

The Eagle/Cuda is now marketed as the Lowrance X-4.  (I have an older CUDA model.)  What PJ uses is also a nice unit.

dd
  
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PhantomJug
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #7 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 3:14am
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Puckster wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 2:30am:
Good to know PJ!  In the link you provided in your note, there was a picture of a yellow or orange (?) thing.... was that the transducer? 

prouboy


The yellow thing is the smart cast wireless transducer.  I've never used it.  I use the suction cup mount transducer and have it mounted to shoot through the hull of the canoe.  If you can get 2 years out of a transducer you're doing pretty well.  They do not last forever and will be the first thing to wear down on your (or anyone elses) locator.
  
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zski
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #8 - Jan 28th, 2012 at 2:24pm
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i picked up the Lowrance X-4 last year. Converted to AA from info provided on QJ. used the 'cup filled with water' method for the transducer early in the year and it worked well. Later in the year encapsulated the cigar shaped transducer in a block of silicone. Silicone the transducer on day 1 of our Q trip and it stayed put and worked great all week.  8aa batteries lasted all week in spite of forgetting to turn it off one night. doh!
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: latest depth finder info
Reply #9 - Jan 29th, 2012 at 1:55am
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Currently using the Lowrance Mark 5x with the siliconed-in puck a la Kingfisher's conversion to portable (8AA batteries).  Works great for me!  So good that I bought a 2nd 'ducer to mount in the solo canoe.

I really like the ease of portaging without having to do anything other than just turn it off and rotate the unit down, then just rotate it basck up and turn it on again on the other side. 

95% of the difficulty of portaging lies on either end of the portage.  The actual walk is cake in comparison.  Anything I can do to streamline the process on the ends is absolute gold.
  
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